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In the fertile yet climate-vulnerable plains of southern Nepal, solar-powered irrigation is revolutionizing agriculture for smallholder farmers in Sunsari and Morang districts. Traditionally reliant on unpredictable rainfall, farmers now have access to sustainable and cost-effective irrigation solutions through solar lift irrigation systems. These systems have replaced expensive diesel pumps and unreliable electricity, providing a reliable source of water for farming.

For years, farmers in these regions grappled with erratic monsoon patterns, expensive diesel pumps, and limited access to electricity. The majority, comprising small-scale farmers, faced ongoing uncertainty, impacting both their food security and income. However, today, solar lift irrigation systems are providing a sustainable, dependable, and cost-effective solution for irrigation.

Chaudhary irrigating land with portable solar pump

Solar-powered water pumps are empowering impoverished farmers to efficiently irrigate their fields without relying on expensive diesel or unreliable electricity. Following the installation of solar pumps, the livelihoods of many impoverished farmers in Ramdhuni Municipality of Sunsari District have undergone a significant transformation.

Transforming Lives Through Solar Irrigation

Samjhana Tamang Rai, 24, utilized a concessional loan from Support Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. (Microfinance) to install a solar pump. Young farmers like Rai are leading the way in embracing this change in the region. Thanks to access to concessional loans from microfinance institutions, she was able to set up a solar pump that now guarantees a consistent water supply for her land.

This dependable irrigation system has enabled her, and many others, to transition from subsistence farming of crops like wheat and rice. Presently, farmers are cultivating vegetables year-round, including tomatoes, beans, gourds, cabbage, and cauliflower. Off-season farming has not only boosted productivity but has also significantly increased household incomes, including Rai's.

Women, in particular, are reaping the benefits of this new technology. With the installation of pump sets, farmers no longer have to rely on rainfall but can now engage in high-income vegetable farming throughout the year. With reliable water access, Rai has diversified her farming activities.

"The solar pump has empowered small farmers like Rai to cultivate vegetables year-round, doubling their income through the sale of produce such as tomatoes, beans, gourds, cabbage, and cauliflower," stated Bholanath Pokharel, an expert working in the region as part of the project.

Following the receipt of loans from the Baklaura Branch of Support Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. - a partner of the REEEP-GREEN project - many female farmers like Rai are benefiting from solar irrigation systems to grow off-season vegetables year-round.

Chaudhary growing vegetables

As a partner of REEEP-GREEN, Support Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. is promoting the use of 100 Futurepump SF2 solar water pumps for irrigation through concessional financing. "With concessional loans and grants, over 70 pumps have already been installed in Morang, Sunsari, and Udayapur, steadily progressing towards the target of 100 households," Pokharel explained.

These pumps are helping farmers improve water use efficiency through training on better techniques like vegetable cultivation under plastic sheets, promoting long-term sustainability. With access to water year-round, women farmers can engage in additional income-generating activities, enhancing household economic stability.

"AEPC is pleased to report that solar lift irrigation is making a difference in the lives of small farmers," said Navaraj Dhakal, Executive Director of AEPC. "Solar pumps like the Futurepump SF2 are designed to provide efficient irrigation with minimal environmental impact. Capable of pumping thousands of liters of water per hour, these systems can irrigate up to two acres of land," Dhakal added.

By combining farmer training on efficient water use and modern cultivation techniques such as plastic tunnel farming, these technologies are ensuring sustainable practices and improved agricultural outcomes.

Reducing Costs, Boosting Incomes

Despite lower tariffs, electricity use for irrigation remains costly. Diesel pump sets are unaffordable for small farmers due to high costs. Solar-powered water pumps not only reduce irrigation expenses but also increase profits.

For example, Kamala Chaudhary from Ramdhuni Municipality Ward 19 (Maini Tole) switched from a diesel pump set to a solar system. She mentioned that solar power has significantly reduced her daily irrigation costs. Chaudhary now irrigates eight kattha of land at a reasonable rate and has expanded her cultivation to include high-value vegetables like cauliflower, brinjal, beans, gourds, and onions.

Likewise, Amit Rai from Ramdhuni Municipality Ward 18 uses a solar pump for his fish pond, saving around 60% on water expenses in a year. He intends to supply fingerlings to local farmers. "I received 60% financing support at an annual interest rate of nine percent," Rai stated. "We can access as much water as needed."

Chaudhary emphasized that having reliable access to water has allowed her to effectively manage fish ponds, vegetable farming, poultry, and livestock. She stated that water is essential for activities ranging from cattle rearing to growing off-season vegetables.

The Futurepump SF2 solar water pump can deliver a maximum flow rate of 3,600 liters per hour (1 liter per second) at shallow depths of 15 meters. Experts recommend it for irrigating up to two acres, with a suction depth of seven meters and a total head of 15 meters. The system, optimized with 120W or 240W solar panels, provides a dependable and sustainable water supply, with performance varying based on sunlight and lift height, according to Pokharel.

Enhancing Incomes and Community Resilience

Local branches of Support Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. offer loans of up to NPR 60,000 under a concessional scheme. This initiative is backed by the AEPC and funded through the REEEP-GREEN Project, co-funded by the EU and the German Government, which prioritizes both commercial viability and social impact.

By combining microfinance with technical support, the project enables marginalized groups, particularly women, to attain financial independence.

The total cost of installing a Futurepump SF2 solar water pump in Nepal is around NPR 98,000, covering panels and basic setup. Government subsidies provided by the AEPC can cover up to 60 percent of the cost, significantly easing the financial burden on farmers. Despite the initial investment, solar pumps offer long-term savings compared to diesel pumps, with increased crop yields and reasonable payback periods.

Addressing Climate Challenges

In regions like the plains of Sunsari and Morang and the hills of Panchthar, solar-powered water pumps are playing a crucial role in providing water amid unpredictable rainfall and droughts caused by climate change.

The Thamdanda–Sunar Chowk Solar Drinking Water Project in Mikhlajung Rural Municipality of Panchthar District uses solar pumps to lift water, supplying 50 households with drinking water throughout the year and supporting limited irrigation for kitchen gardens. This has allowed families to cultivate vegetables like beans and lentils, leading to improved nutrition.

Kamaldev Sunuwar from Sunar Tole mentioned that these systems have reduced the burden of fetching water, particularly for women who used to spend hours on this task. Additionally, the project has helped prevent mass migration in the community.

Community-managed systems ensure proper maintenance and prevent over-extraction of water through efficient design. The Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) emphasizes Nepal's significant solar potential, highlighting solar irrigation as a scalable solution for poverty alleviation.

Training and Awareness

Support Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. has been providing orientation and training sessions on solar irrigation in Morang and Sunsari, in addition to distributing pumps. These sessions, which included live demonstrations, reached over 900 people, with 800 of them being women.

The cooperative also offers affordable loan options to increase access to renewable energy technologies. These efforts are part of the REEEP-GREEN initiative, which aims to promote private-sector investment in distributed renewable energy markets through the Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund managed by AEPC.

Dhakal, the Executive Director of AEPC, stated, "As solar-powered water pumps become more prevalent in Nepal, they provide hope for millions by transforming climate vulnerability into opportunity. Farmers are securing their livelihoods while building a more resilient future."

Road Ahead

Solar irrigation helps farmers cope with increasing climate variability by supplementing rainfall during dry spells. While solar pumps are not a one-size-fits-all solution and require careful management to prevent groundwater overuse, they are a crucial step towards climate-resilient and inclusive agricultural development in Nepal.

The economic benefits of solar irrigation are significant. Farmers who previously relied on diesel pumps are now saving money on fuel costs. Many farmers have switched to solar systems, reducing their irrigation expenses and expanding their vegetable farming. One farmer reported that using solar-powered irrigation has reduced water costs by nearly 60 percent and plans to expand into fish fingerling production.

Water User group of Panchthar

With access to affordable financing that can cover up to 60 percent of installation costs, solar pumps are becoming more accessible to rural households.The Futurepump SF2s efficiently irrigate up to two acres of land with minimal environmental impact.

Combined with farmer training on water conservation and modern cultivation techniques, such as plastic tunnel farming, these technologies promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Solar irrigation systems are crucial for adapting to climate change in Nepal, where erratic rainfall and droughts are becoming more common. These systems support agricultural productivity in both plains and hill regions, with some areas using solar-powered water systems for drinking water and kitchen gardening, reducing migration and improving nutrition. “The REEEP-GREEN project combines renewable energy, microfinance, and technical training to empower marginalized farmers, particularly women, to achieve financial independence and resilience,” said Dr. Narayan Prasad Chaulagai, Senior Energy Specialis at GIZ Nepal’s REEEP Green.

Solar Pump Lifting water in Mikhlajung in Panchthar

Community-managed systems ensure proper maintenance and responsible water use, making the model scalable and sustainable. Training programs have already reached hundreds of farmers, promoting the widespread adoption of solar technologies.

Solar-powered irrigation is not just a technological solution but a pathway to inclusive development, climate resilience, and economic empowerment in Nepal. Initiatives like REEEP-GREEN demonstrate that clean energy can drive meaningful change, offering hope to millions of farmers for securing livelihoods, adapting to climate challenges, and building a sustainable future.

By Keshab Poudel